Hello.

I am currently a final year student at the University of Sussex and
was wondering if anyone could give me a few pointers from their time or experience of
the motoring industry. There is three very short questions I want to ask
you, so here it goes:

1. Everyone knows that there are certain cars that suit certain
people, and so what are the main market (the family, the outdoor
fantic, etc) and what cars are specifically aimed at them?

2. What are the most common cause of car breakdowns in the UK?

3. Do people equip themselves with emergency items and do you think
that it would be a good idea if they were?

Your help would be much appreciated.

1. The main market still seems to be aimed towards reps and their families (mondeo, vectra, passat types)

2. Flat battery, Flat tyre and running out of fuel. You could include RTA's since they are on the increase

3. People don't seem to bother so much these days since they use breakdown services. However in the winter months of my youth I'd never go out without a shovel and a bag of sand to get out of snowdrifts (anybody remember snow?)
Nowadays it's more likely to be wheel changing kit, gaffer tape tiewraps and a good torch.
Not forgetting a couple of pairs of disposable gloves. Make sure your phone is charged up, but bear in mind you may not be in signal.

I'd add water, first aid box, bulbs and oil to your list, T, and also I carry a pair of gardening gloves which I find better than disposables for wheel changing!

quote:

Originally posted by b308:
I'd add water, first aid box, bulbs and oil to your list, T, and also I carry a pair of gardening gloves which I find better than disposables for wheel changing!

Haven't had an actual breakdown for about 6 years. Then it was a dodgy alternator causing the battery to go discharge which in turn upset the autobox. Finally got home locked in 3rd gear and waiting for the battery to recover some charge each time it died. I also discovered there are no phone boxes left and my wife had our cellphone with her. Bought my own the next day.

Currently carry the following: cellphone/charger, I have no spare wheel (LPG tank) so a can of inflator, flourescent jackets, set of bulbs, triangles, flashlight, 1st aid kit (and trained to use it), shovel in winter, de-icer spray, blanket, full waterproofs, oil and water on a long journey, (heavy) detachable towbar kept handy. AA membership.

Thanks for the replies, anyone who would like to add anymore please do.

Hi trev from trev.

Is there really a trev about under 40?!

The main market for cars in the UK was traditionally 4 door saloons as typified by the Ford Cortina. This contrasted with the continent, where smaller cars were the predominant seller. This was because for many years here there were more "company cars" than private, and the saloon formed the backbone of the fleets. It was a very tax efficient "perk" and formed part of the salary for many (at 19 I worked in the sales office of a steel stockholder where everyone had a company car - including I).

As the tax advantage has diminished, and the "company car" now only provided for reps, middle and upper management (and often a cash alternative is provided), smaller hatchbacks have become predominant. For at least 10 years (probably longer), the biggest volume sellers have been Golf/Focus size hatches. The 4 door saloon has been usurped totally.

The niche markets have proliferated over the years. There have always been sports cars, but whereas 4WD was almost solely for utility vehicles 3 decades ago, now the explosion in domesticated "SUV"s is evident to see.

Another niche, which has become almost mainstram is the "hot hatch". The hatchback has become an ever more popular configuration, owing to it's practicality, since it's emergence in the early 70s (Alfasud, I believe, was the pioneer). In 77 VW introduced the Golf GTi, a performance version of their standard hatch, providing the cobination of sports car performance and handling with the practicality of a hatchback. The format has been a collosal success, copied by every manufacturer, with performance versions of almost every standard hatch being big sellers.

Regarding breakdowns, I wouldn't know. Cars are generally far more reliable these days, and I would guess electrics are the most predominant cause of incidents. The RAC and AA are kept busy rescuing folk who have put diesel in their petrol car, and vice versa. Maybe that's the biggest cause of breakdown.

It would certainly be a good idea if people took a basic kit in case of emergency - though I don't, I admit. It is law in many continental countries that all cars carry a first aid box and a warning triangle.

TrevGO, indeed there is a trev under 40 but you should cherish it because I'm as rare as a unicorn. Anyway thanks for reply.